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Geocache Description:

December 7, 1941
USS Arizona

I had just been transferred to a new ship which was home ported in Hawaii. Flying over the big Island I could see the hull of the USS Arizona far below and knew I had to get a closer look at this memorial. I had 2 days before my ship returned from maneuvers and I would be allowed to join the crew. I decided to take the tour of Pearl Harbor, which turned out to be a wealth of information. I discovered that during the attack by the Imperial Japanese Navy, all 8 of our battleships had been sunk or damaged, 3 destroyers had been sunk or damaged, 3 cruisers damaged, 1 Minelayer sunk and 3 Miscellaneous Auxiliary ships damaged. In all, 188 aircraft had been destroyed and another 155 damaged. Last but not least was the loss of life in this unprovoked attack. In all, 2,402 military personnel had been killed, 1,247 wounded, with 57 civilians killed and 35 wounded. As I read the entire list of dead and missing Soldiers and Sailors, these names stuck in my mind for some insane reason.

Are you a Desk Jockey or a Combat Hardened Veteran?
In the wake of the attack, 16 Medals of Honor, 51 Navy Crosses, 53 Silver Crosses, four Navy and Marine Corps Medals, one Distinguished Flying Cross, four Distinguished Service Crosses, one Distinguished Service Medal, and three Bronze Stars were awarded to the American servicemen who distinguished themselves in combat at Pearl Harbor. Additionally, a special military award, the Pearl Harbor Commemorative Medal, was later authorized for all military veterans of the attack.

[President Franklin D. Roosevelt's address to Congress on December 8, 1941 - "With confidence in our armed forces (GPSr) - with the unbounding determination of our people (Cachers) - we will gain the inevitable triumph (FTF) - so help us God."